Lions can be own worst enemy, just not vs. Bucs

Despite numerous injuries that have both teams playing backup quarterbacks, the Bears and Packers still have hopes of winning the NFC North that are based on the same factor: the Lions will find a way to beat themselves.

Even with everybody at full strength in the NFC North, the Lions arguably have the best team in the division — a prolific quarterback, the game’s best wide receiver, an all-purpose running back; and a defense that is strong where it needs to be — the interior line with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. With the Bears playing without Lance Briggs, Jay Cutler, Charles Tillman and Henry Melton and the Packers without Aaron Rodgers, only the Lions’ knack for silly penalties and other ill-timed mishaps can screw it up.

Last week against the Steelers, coach Jim Schwartz did his part — calling for a fake field goal with a 27-23 lead early in the fourth. On fourth-and-five from the Steelers’ 10, holder Sam Martin was stopped short of the first down and fumbled. The Steelers drove 97 yards on 16 plays for a touchdown that gave them a 30-27 lead. Matthew Stafford was intercepted on the next drive, the Steelers scored another touchdown and won 37-27.

That’s why the Bears are tied with the Lions and the Packers just one game back. With four of their next five game at home and the tiebreaker against the Bears, the Lions have the inside track on the NFC North title. The Bears’ and Packers’ best hope is that the Lions’ fate is in their own hands.

Pick: Lions 37, Buccaneers 17.

BEARS AT RAMS

Time: Noon, Fox-32. Line: Rams by 1. Total: 45 1⁄2. Records (overall/ATS): Bears 6-4/26-2; Rams 4-6/4-6. Outlook: After weathering the storm last week, Josh McCown and the Bears’ offense should thrive in the perfect conditions of the Edward Jones Dome. Hot-and-cold Rams not only are coming off a 38-8 victory over the Colts, but have an extra week’s rest after the bye. Pick: Rams 27, Bears 24.

JAGUARS AT TEXANS

Time: Noon. Line: Texans by 10. Total: 43 1⁄2. Records (overall/ATS): Jaguars 1-9/2-8; Texans 2-8/2-8. Outlook: Texans are mired in a little difficulty, with an eight-game losing streak, Arian Foster out for the season and Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson arguing on the sidelines. Still, the Texans’ defense is No. 1 in total yards, which should be enough against the Jaguars. Pick: Texans 17, Jaguars 9.

STEELERS AT BROWNS

Time: Noon. Line: Browns by 1 1⁄2. Total: 41 1⁄ 2 Records (overall/ATS): Steelers 4-6/4-6; Browns 4-6/5-5. Outlook: Resurgent Steelers have won 4 of 6 after an 0-4 start and Ben Roethlisberger, who was at his best vs. the Lions (4 TDs, 0 INTs, 119.4 rating) is 15-1 against the Browns. But Big Ben will be facing a Browns defense ranked fifth in the NFL. Pick: Browns 16, Steelers 13.

JETS AT RAVENS

Time: Noon. Line: Ravens by 3 1⁄2. Total: 39. Records (overall/ATS): Jets 5-5/6-4; Ravens 4-6/5-4-1. Outlook: The Jets, who have alternated wins and losses all season, are due for a win after getting routed by the Bills last week. The Ravens and Joe Flacco deserved a better fate after bad weather slowed them down against the Bears. Pick: Ravens 27, Jets 20.

VIKINGS AT PACKERS

Time: Noon. Line: Packers by 5. Total: 44. Records (overall/ATS): Vikings 2-8/46; Packers 5-5/4-6. Outlook: Packers rookie QB Scott Tolzien (TD, 5 INTs) still trying to hit his stride in place of Aaron Rodgers. He’ll find it eventually — you just never know when that will be. Pick: Packers 31, Vikings 27.

TITANS AT RAIDERS

Time: 3:05 p.m. Line: Raiders by 1 1⁄2. Total: 41 1⁄2. Records (overall/ATS): Titans 4-6/53-2; Raiders 4-6/7-3. Outlook: Titans have lost 5 of 6, but the last two have been by 2 and 3 points. Matt McGloin had a 105.9 rating (3 TDs, 0 INTs) vs. the Texans last week. How long can that last? Pick: Raiders 30, Titans 27.

COLTS AT CARDINALS

Time: 3:05 p.m, Ch. 2. Line: Cardinals by 2 1⁄2. Total: 44 1⁄ 2 Records (overall/ATS): Colts 7-3/5-41; Cardinals 6-4/6-4. Outlook: Would-be Bears coach Bruce Arians is doing a bang-up job with the Cardinals. But Andrew Luck’s knack for winning the close ones is tough to bet against. Pick: Cardinals 24, Colts 21.

BRONCOS AT PATRIOTS

Time: 7:30 p.m., Ch. 5. Line: Broncos by 3. Total: 56. Records (overall/ATS): Broncos 9-1/6-4; Patriots 7-3/-5. Outlook: The Patriots have to be steaming after a controversial call cost them a chance to beat the Panthers last week. Pick: Broncos 34, Patriots 27.

49ERS AT REDSKINS

Time: 7:30 p.m., Mon, ESPN. Line: 49ers by 5 1⁄2. Total: 47 Records (overall/ATS): 49ers 6-4/63-1; Redskins 3-7/3-7. Outlook: Skins have lost 3 of 4 since beating the Bears, and were fortunate to beat the Chargers. Pick: 49ers 27, Redskins 24.